Aside

Contact Info

Skills

Bayesian statistical modelling

Data visualization

iOS, macOS, and watchOS app development

Programming Languages

Main

Joshua Cook

Graduent Student Researcher

As an undergrad, I studied the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and I currently study cancer genetics using bioinformatics with a specific focus on Bayesian methods. I am looking to once again switch disciplines but continue utilizing and improving my Bayesian statistical analysis skills.

Education

Harvard Medical School

Biomedical and Biological Sciences PhD. program

Boston, MA

present - 2017

Studying cancer genetics with bioinformatics and statistical modeling.

University of California, Irvine

B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & B.S. in Chemistry

Irvine, CA

2017 - 2013

Magna Cum Laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.94 and Honors in Biology.

Research Experience

Graduate Research

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA

present - 2017

  • Studied the tissue- and allele-specific genetic interactions of KRAS in cancer using thousands of human tumor samples.
  • Bayesian hierarchical modeling of CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens.

Undergraduate Research

Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, UCI

Irvine, CA

2017 - 2014

  • Investigated the patterns and mechanisms of dissemination by which Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate, intracellular parasite, infects a human host.

Research Interneship

Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

2014

  • Studied the underlying causes of developmental disruptions within the hypothalamus that are characteristic of Prader-Willi syndrome.

Research Interneship

Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

2012

  • Researched the role of liver progenitor cells in these two rare, yet deadly, early onset diseases.

Publications

The origins and genetic interactions of KRAS mutations are allele- and tissue-specific

Nat. Commun.

N/A

2021

Joshua H Cook, Giorgio E M Melloni, Doga C Gulhan, Peter J Park, Kevin M Haigis

Tissue-Specific Oncogenic Activity of KRASA146T

Cancer Discov.

N/A

2019

Emily J Poulin, Asim K Bera, Jia Lu, Yi-Jang Lin, Samantha Dale Strasser, Joao A Paulo, Tannie Q Huang, Carolina Morales, Wei Yan, Joshua Cook, Jonathan A Nowak, Douglas K Brubaker, Brian A Joughin, Christian W Johnson, Rebecca A DeStefanis, Phaedra C Ghazi, Sudershan Gondi, Thomas E Wales, Roxana E Iacob, Lana Bogdanova, Jessica J Gierut, Yina Li, John R Engen, Pedro A Perez-Mancera, Benjamin S Braun, Steven P Gygi, Douglas A Lauffenburger, Kenneth D Westover, Kevin M Haigis

Toxoplasma gondii disrupts $$1 integrin signaling and focal adhesion formation during monocyte hypermotility

J. Biol. Chem.

N/A

2018

Joshua H Cook, Norikiyo Ueno, Melissa B Lodoen

Loss of Magel2 impairs the development of hypothalamic Anorexigenic circuits

Hum. Mol. Genet.

N/A

2016

Julien Maillard, Soyoung Park, Sophie Croizier, Charlotte Vanacker, Joshua H Cook, Vincent Prevot, Maithe Tauber, Sebastien G Bouret

Software

TODO

TODO

TODO

TODO

TODO

Presentations

Cancer Research UK Trainee Meeting (oral): Modeling CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify tissue-specific patterns.

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September 2021

Harvard Medical School Cancer Signaling Meeting (oral): Tissue- and allele-specific genetic interactions of KRAS.

N/A

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May 2021

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Genetics Research in Progress (oral): The genetic interaction network of mutationally activated KRAS.

N/A

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March 2020

Cancer Research UK Progress Meeting (oral): Genetic description of oncogenic KRAS mutations.

N/A

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October 2019

UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Symposium (poster): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.

N/A

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May 2016

UCI Excellence in Research (poster): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.

N/A

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April 2016

UCI Excellence in Research (oral): Toxoplasma gondii-induced hypermotility in human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins.

N/A

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April 2016

West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (oral): Hypermotility of human primary monocytes through the dysregulation of β1 integrins by Toxoplasma gondii.

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April 2016

UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Symposium (oral): Destabilization of cell adhesion in human monocytes infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

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May 2015

Teaching Experience

Private Tutoring

N/A

Cambridge, MA

September 2018 - June 2021

I tutored a high school student every evening. In any one night, our topics would range from history to physics to computer science. Mainly, I ensured that he understood the material and helped him grasp topics he found difficult. While I had a good handle on most of the information covered, sometimes his course material stretched well beyond my comfort level (for example, his Mandarin courses). When I found myself in these scenarios, I probed his understanding by asking questions and having him teach me the material.

Teaching Assistant

TODO

TODO

TODO

Tutor

UCI Learning and Academic Resource Center

Irvine, CA

August 2015 - September 2016

I led group tutoring sessions for undergraduate students as part of the Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) at UCI. I have tutored an Introductory Biology course, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Calculus.

Leadership and Mentoring

Irvine Little League Manager

Little League Baseball

Irvine, CA

February 2016 - June 2016, January 2017 - July 2017

My first year, I co-managed a Majors division (11 - 12 year olds) baseball team in the Irvine Ranch Little League and co-managed the 11 year-old’s All Star Team over the summer. My second season, I managed my own team in the AA division (8-10 year olds). I fulfilled several administrative roles including attending league meetings, organizing parent volunteers, and scheduling practices and games. My goal as a manager of these young boys was to emulate maturity, determination, and level-headedness, especially when under pressure. Excitingly, my AA team was season champion and won the Irvine City Championship Tournament!

Tutor Advisor

UCI Learning and Academic Resource Center

Irvine, CA

March 2016 - June 2017

I instructed LARC tutors in improving their tutorials and teaching methods. In addition, I spent a lot of time interacting with the tutors to make sure they were managing their course load and job in an efficient and healthy manner. I had an administrative role, as well. In particular, I orchestrated the scheduling and creation of LARC tutorials and handled day-to-day problems that inevitably arose.

Peer Mentor

UCI Campuswide Honors Program

Irvine, CA

August 2016 - June 2017

I assisted four incoming freshmen in acclimating to UC Irvine. I supported them by alerting them to useful resources, answering questions they have about classes, and helping them work through a stressful period in their academic career.

Peer Scholars Mentor

Scholarship and Opportunities Program (SOP)

Irvine, CA

September 2016 - January 2017

I helped three UCI Barry Goldwater Scholarship applicants prepare their applications. Though the applicants had research experience and strong academic standing, they are inexperienced in drafting national scholarship applications. As I had won the Goldwater Scholarship and applied for the Churchill Scholarship and Fulbright Fellowship, my goal was to guide these students through the process and assist them in crafting a strong application.

Honors and Awards

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention

N/A

N/A

April 2019

Honors in Biological Sciences

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June 2017

Phi Lambda Upsilon

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N/A

May 2017

A national chemistry honorary society into which a few select graduating chemistry students are invited.

American Chemical Society Polymer Education Award

N/A

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May 2017

Jayne Unzelman Scholarship ($3,000)

N/A

N/A

May 2017

Undergraduate student, academic excellence and service to the School of Biological Sciences and/or the University, and service to the community.

UC Irvine Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

N/A

N/A

May 2017

Phi Beta Kappa

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May 2017

Fulbright Fellowship Alternate

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N/A

March 2017

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Fellow and Grant Recipient ($400)

N/A

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January 2017

Malcolm R. Stacey Memorial Scholarship ($500)

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October 2016

Awarded to meritorious students of Jewish descent with financial need.

UCI Alumni Association 2016-17 Distinguished Anteaters Award ($1,500)

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June 2016

The anteater is the UCI mascot.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program ($1,300)

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June 2016

UCI School of Bio Sci Brian Atwood Scholarship ($3,000)

N/A

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May 2016

Awarded to a Junior-level Biological Sciences major who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in both scholarship and service to the UCI community.

Robert Ernst Prize for Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences ($250)

N/A

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May 2016

Excellence in Research

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April 2016

A UCI School of Biological Sciences undergraduate competition whereby each student submits a manuscript of their research project, gives an oral presentation, and holds a poster session.

Barry Goldwater Scholar ($7,500)

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March 2016

UROP Fellow and Grant Recipient ($500)

N/A

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January 2016

UROP Honorary Fellowship

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June 2015

2015 UROP Fellow and Grant Recipient ($500)

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January

UCI Dean’s Honor List (all 12 academic quarters)

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2016 - 2014

UCI Campuswide Honors Program

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N/A

present - 2014